J Korean Soc Radiol.  2015 Aug;73(2):105-107. 10.3348/jksr.2015.73.2.105.

Angiographic Features of Unilateral Nonbifurcating Cervical Carotid Artery: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. slee@yuhs.ac

Abstract

Nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery is a rare anomaly of the common carotid artery (CCA), in which the branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) arise directly from the CCA or proximal internal carotid artery without bifurcation, and therefore there is no proximal main trunk of the ECA. We report a unilateral nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery of a 67-year-old woman, incidentally found during cerebral aneurismal treatment.


MeSH Terms

Aged
Carotid Arteries*
Carotid Artery, Common
Carotid Artery, External
Carotid Artery, Internal
Female
Humans

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Anteroposterior maximum intensity projection image of contrast-enhanced MR angiography shows the right CCA is not bifurcating. The right superior thyroid artery (curved arrow) and lingual-facial trunk (arrow) are originating from CCA level of the nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery. Other ECA branches are arising from the probable proximal ICA level of the nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery. CCA = common carotid artery, ECA = external carotid artery, ICA = internal carotid artery

  • Fig. 2 Lateral view of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of bilateral carotid arteries. A. DSA of the right carotid artery shows an unusual cervical carotid artery without bifurcation. The right superior thyroid artery (curved arrow) and lingual-facial trunk (arrow) are arising from the CCA level of the nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery. The internal maxillary, superficial temporal, and occipital arteries are originating from the probable ICA of the nonbifurcating cervical carotid artery. B. DSA of left cervical carotid artery (left) shows the normal bifurcation of the CCA and the ECA with its branches. CCA = common carotid artery, ECA = external carotid artery, ICA = internal carotid artery


Reference

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